When seniors pay attention to keeping their fingernails clean and healthy, they’re more likely to stay healthier themselves. That’s because fingernail care helps to prevent infections and other illnesses. Seniors might find fingernail care tougher to handle on their own because of vision changes, mobility issues, or simply not knowing how to do it. Personal care at home can help with fingernail care and many other tasks for seniors.
Keep Nails Clean
A problem that seniors run into is that their nails are more likely to be fragile. That can make it more difficult to keep fingernails clean. Gentle cleansing with soap, water, and a soft nail brush can do a lot to remove grime and germs. Germs are a problem because if seniors scratch themselves with sharp fingernails that aren’t clean, they’re more likely to have to deal with an infection or other issue.
Trim Carefully and Straight Across
Once fingernails are cleaner, trimming helps them to stay at a convenient length. Rounding off the nails contributes to other problems, like hangnails and ingrown nails. Trimming straight across keeps the nail healthier for seniors and easier to manage. After they’re trimmed, fingernails often have sharp edges. Home care providers can help file those sharp edges so they don’t cause injuries.
Moisturize Hands and Cuticle Areas
When seniors aren’t taking care of their fingernails well, they usually also have issues with dry cuticles and hands. Dry cuticles get ragged and tear, sometimes even stretching down the nail. Keeping hands moisturized and caring for those cuticle areas properly helps seniors avoid skin peeling and irritation around their fingernails. Some people try to cut or trim cuticles, but that’s dangerous, and it can lead to infections. A gentle hand lotion with minimal or no fragrance helps to lock in moisture and keep hands and cuticles moisturized.
Build a Supply Kit
Personal care at home can help seniors to build up a supply kit that can help them to maintain clean, healthy fingernails. Nail clippers, a nail file, and a soft nail brush are great tools to start with when building a nail care supply kit. Seniors don’t need a lot of tools in order to keep their hands healthy, either. Keeping their supplies simple means that they’re less intimidating, too.
Watch for Injuries or Changes
One of the best reasons to let personal care at home help seniors with fingernail care is that professional caregivers can watch for signs of injuries or changes in seniors. Manicures are a great time to observe how seniors are doing and to pay attention to signs of pain or damage. Personal care at home can help with routine manicures and fingernail maintenance, helping seniors look and feel their best at all times.
Caring for fingernails and hands is just one of the ways that personal care at home can help seniors to take care of grooming and personal care tasks. Routine care keeps seniors feeling and looking their best, which boosts self-esteem and helps them stay as healthy as possible.
If you or an aging loved one needs personal care at home in Castle Pines, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare of Parker. 303-953-9924
